Dave's Download

Music Industry Decline Accelerates

By David LaGesse

Posted: December 1, 2008

The music industry's woes only worsen. We're now experiencing what one analyst calls the "worst decline in the history of the CD."

Physical album sales have plunged about 27% so far in the fourth quarter, says Rich Greenfield at Pali Research. That's a significant drop from the rest of the year, which was bad enough with declines in the mid-teens. This quarter also tops the 21 percent fall in early 2007.

Digital tracks sales are up, but not nearly enough to make up for lost CD sales. Major retailers, meanwhile, are reacting by shrinking shelf space for CDs and cutting prices, with Wal-Mart often selling CDs below $5, says Digital Music News.

Records

I think the tour was always the money maker for the big bands. Now they can use the internet to better promote their music and still make money on the tour. Plus digital downloads, ring-tones, merchandize can all be sold online and cost a fraction to produce the CDs.

Scott of TN @ Dec 02, 2008 23:11:05 PM

They used to go on tour to sell records. Now they give away digital "records" to sell the tour tickets. Change for sure.

of @ Dec 02, 2008 10:34:19 AM

That makes sense

With all of the free media out there it's not a surprise...right now I'm listing to Theradio.com ...type in any artist or song and it pops up.Someone in the industry needs to develop something innovative for hard sales or the trend will continue.

Brian S of NJ @ Dec 01, 2008 19:59:08 PM

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Dave's Download

Our in-house gadget guru, Senior Writer David LaGesse, checks out the latest technologies and gizmos, from computer software to GPS systems -- and reports back to you in plain English.


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